Morning parallel session, at the Faculty of Public Health annual conference, on Wednesday 7 July.

Chaired by Laura Donnelly (Health Correspondent at the Sunday Telegraph), and panel members Dame Carol Black (National Director, Health Work and Wellbeing), Andrew Harrop (Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Age UK) and Yvonne Coull (Consultant to, and former Director, Queen Mary University Centre for the Older Person’s Agenda).

Afternoon parallel session at the Faculty of Public Health annual conference, on Wednesday 7 July.

Chaired by Alastair McLellan, Editor of the HSJ, and panel members Martin McKee, Professor of European Public Health at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Michael Hagen, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Stephen Hewitt, Specialist Professional Planner at Bristol City Council and Ed Cox, Director at IPPR North.

Andrew Lansley this morning revealed his personal ambition for a new Public Health Service, where public health is something that is taken seriously at all levels – nationally, locally, and as individuals. The Secretary of State for Health announced that the Prime Minister has agreed to the formation of a Cabinet Sub-Committee on Public Health, which Mr Lansley will chair.

A new Health Premium which will target public health resources towards the areas with the poorest health was also announced, alongside confirmation that we can expect a public health white paper in the autumn. Mr Lansley also outlined his commitment to Change4Life, but said that he wanted to change it from being a government campaign to a social movement, with reduced central funding and great financial contributions from business, local government and charities.

Mr Lansley also made reference to last week’s controversy at the BMA conference, declaring that “contrary to the media reporting, I applauded Jamie Oliver’s initiative” and argued that the TV chef understood that encouragement and empowerment are what is needed to improve the public’s health, not regulations and rules.

Disclaimer

The aim of this blog is to encourage discussion and debate on public health issues. The views expressed here are the personal views of authors, and the content does not reflect the official position of the Faculty of Public Health. However, discussion generated here may be used to influence the development of organisational policy.